While first-time claims remain elevated, they are moving in a constructive direction. … READ MORE >
coronavirus
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. durable goods orders stall
Orders for long-lasting factory goods decreased for the first time in 10 months in February, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data released on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: New home sales drop 18.2% in February as market cools
New home sales fell 18.2% in February compared to January to a seasonally adjusted 775,000 — a nine-month low. At the same time, median home prices eased 1% to $349,400 nationally, according to government data released on Tuesday. … READ MORE >
Federal Reserve to end supplemental leverage ratio capital break
The Federal Reserve announced on Friday that it would not extend an important rule accommodation put in place last spring that helped banks continue to lend to small and medium-size businesses as the economic effects of the pandemic took hold. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Signs of increasing foreign investment in the U.S. and the dollar
February data from the government’s Treasury International Capital reporting system—which tracks capital flows into and out of the United States—provided another strong signal that the nascent economic recovery is quickly turning into a full-blown expansion. … READ MORE >
Weekly jobless claims: A grim anniversary as claims rise to 770,000
Top-line initial claims for unemployment benefits increased to 770,000 versus an expected decline to 700,000 for the week ending March 13, according to government data released Thursday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Deflating the hype on inflation
While we do expect the year-ago effects brought on by the global pandemic to result in a period of moderate reflation in the economy, the longer-term outlook implies that elevated inflation will be transitory and give way to price stability. … READ MORE >
FOMC meeting comment: Welcome to the boomtown
The onset of recovery in the U.S. economy and the growing likelihood of a robust expansion this year and next resulted in a significant upgrade of the Federal Reserve’s Summary of Economic Projections forecast through 2023. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Housing market hits the brakes
The growth in the housing industry came to a sudden end in February as housing starts fell 10.3% month over month to 1.4 million and permits fell 10.8% to just under 1.7 million, according to government data released on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
An evolution of the economy: Living, and adapting, with COVID-19
What should middle market businesses consider in terms of a COVID-19 endemic future? Evaluating existing business models, updating policies and making investments in technology and digital infrastructure are just a few components. … READ MORE >